Posted by Mike Akins on July 01, 2001 at 20:25:18:
In Reply to: What if we can't afford to the convention? Are we going to lose out? posted by Bobby on June 30, 2001 at 19:36:56:
Hi Bobby,
Thank you for expressing yourself. It is important to our success to develop and maintain a team consciousness. A true team is composed of individuals that share in the overall essence of that unit. Your perspectives are important to the team. We are never afraid of the truth. I would like to say I agree, in part, with all the views that have been expressed so far on this post. Now let me address your specific concerns.
You brought up several issues. First, I will address you question as to my relationship with David Lisonbee. I have a very good relationship David Lisonbee. The management at 4Life always treats me with respect. We don’t always agree on every subject but I always feel that I have an open relationship through which that I can share my ideas. I have the up most confidence in the integrity and overall marketing paradigm of the leaders of 4Life. I was strategically involved in many of the marketing systems and tools that 4Life presently provide. In light of this I know they listen.
Of course in any company you are going to have various marketing paradigms. David Lisonbee is basically conservative in his approach to promotion. He is not given to hype. We have other management team players that are more geared to an emotional approach to promotion. There are leaders in the field that apply pressure for more emotionally centered motivation. What you generally get is a blend of the two perspectives. I personally know the majority of individuals in management at 4Life and the leaders in the field. I personally feel they care about you and want what is best for all of us.
Some of you that are reading these posts may wonder what all of the concern is about. I think for those of you that are concerned about the “hype,” what concerns you is that some people are injured when they are encouraged to go beyond their means. Another concern is that some people will feel discouraged when something, that is beyond their reach, is promoted as a “must” in order to achieve success. It can be actually demotivating to hear that “if you want to be successful you must attend a convention” when you know you can’t afford it. An overly hyped up system or marketing tool can go a stray and blow a distributor out of the water. I always encourage my downline partners to go easy on new systems and marketing tools until they are time-tested. This is one side of the picture.
I would like to take a deeper look at what is behind each approach. First of all lets realize that both approaches can have sincere and caring people behind them. We all know that self-centered marketers sometimes encourage their downline partners to go beyond their means in order to achieve personal gain. They do not care what kind of burden they place on others, as long as they reach their own goals. I would like to explain each perspective with the “given” that in this particular situation there are sincere individuals behind each perspective.
Why would 4Life leaders and leaders in the field “hype” up going to the convention or “hype” up the new marketing tool that is going to be introduced. These leaders believe that at the convention distributors can get a real feel for the “heart” behind this program. They want you to feel connected. At the 4Life conventions there is a real effort to provide training seminars. Last year I gave one myself. A great number of people in my seminar told me they learned things that they have never been taught before. I was told it opened their minds to a complete new perspective of how to build a solid business. Of course this information can work its way down into our organization through other avenues. The bottom line is that promoters believe that motivation creates emotional energy and emotional energy makes effort easier.
The idea behind a heavy promotion of the convention is to encourage individuals that can afford the time and money to go. Traditionally, MLM conventions are filled with hype. You get pumped up for a few days then reality takes hold. I have seen individuals go into debt that they could not afford just because conventions were overly hyped up. I have seen marketers get their expectations so high on an overly hyped up marketing tool that when the tool falls short of their expectations they crash and burn out.
What is my stand? I believe in maintaining a balance. I believe motivation and excitement are good but only two factors in the equation of success. Effective training, a realistic expectation, persistence, consistency, personal commitment, effective products, effective marketing tools, the right marketing philosophy, and a number of other factors form the foundation to success. I encourage anyone that can attend the convention to do so. I believe it will be worthwhile and beneficial. I would like to personally meet you. I would like for you to get a feel for the genuine “heartbeat” of this company. If you can’t or chose not too, don’t worry about it. You can still be just as successful. Should you buy a ton of the new videotapes? You should analyze the tape and make an educated decision based on what you can afford to do without hurting yourself. The idea behind the video sounds great. I believe I will be on the tape. Will it be a hit? I don’t know. No one does. If there risk? Yes. This is a business decision that should be made carefully in consideration of all factors involved. How strong should you promote the convention and the video? Be truthful, balanced, and do what is in the best interest of your trusting downline partners.
I appreciate all of the post on this subject. Each of you had valid points. I invite more of our readers to share what you think on this subject. What have been your experiences? The reason I went to great length to examine these issues thoroughly is that not only can these issues themselves have a profound effect on your downline but also even the perceptions of the issues can have an effect. Be blessed.
Mike Akins